Graham C. Phero is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Mechanical & Design Practice Group. He is always ready to learn and leverages his extensive technical and legal expertise on each new project. Clients appreciate his scientific yet creative approach to complex problems, but first and foremost, Graham understands his clients’ business needs.
Graham counsels on all aspects of the intellectual property spectrum from application filing through enforcement/defense and everything in between. His experiences at the PTAB, U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), and District Court inform his patent drafting, helping to immunize claims against future challenges.
Graham has extensive experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the medical, electrical, aerospace, and mechanical arts. His primary areas of technical experience include: aerial vehicles and systems, power generation and energy storage systems, clean energy systems, industrial powertrains, physiological monitoring systems, medical devices, drug delivery devices, biometric systems, semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing, ultrasonic diagnostics, optical scanners, automotive systems, industrial equipment, textiles and apparel, sporting goods, toys and games, image forming devices, and control systems.
In the area of USPTO contested proceedings, Graham has served as counsel to some of the largest corporations in the world in their most important inter partes review, post grant review, and reexamination matters. In fact, his success against serial patent challenges resulted in a “bulletproof” patent portfolio that ultimately resulted in a favorable settlement.
Graham earned his B.S., magna cum laude, in mechanical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. During and after receiving his engineering degree, Graham innovated at Ethicon Endo-Surgery, part of the Johnson and Johnson family of companies.
In addition to his IP practice, Graham volunteers time providing pro bono legal services to veterans before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Education/Alumni:
J.D., The George Washington University Law School, with Honors
B.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University magna, cum laude
Last updated November 2021
